Fennel Confirmed as a Treatment for the Relief of Post-Menopause Symptoms

Fennel, a regularly used herb for cooking, has a long history of reported health benefits, covering a myriad of health issues.  It has been known to be used to treat everything from digestive problems to pre-menstrual symptoms. New scientific research has recently confirmed that it is also effective for treating postmenopausal symptoms, as well.  These symptoms are experienced by many women and include such things as hot-flashes, insomnia, mood problems, and vaginal dryness.  An important note is that fennel has been shown to treat these issues without causing any serious, negative side effects. The results of the research are published online in Menopause, the Journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

The most widely-reported negative symptoms of menopause that are experienced by women are hot-flashes, vaginal dryness, sore and painful joints, insomnia and other sleep problems, fatigue, and mood-related issues.

The use of alternative medicines and therapies for the treatment of menopause-related issues has exploded recently, as more and more women have tried to find safe and effective alternatives to hormone therapy (HT). And although hormone therapy is generally considered the best treatment for relief from symptoms, some women have turned to alternative and herbal medicines since they may not be good candidates for HT, or may be anxious regarding the potential negative side effects of hormone therapy that they've heard about.

Fennel, which contains essential oils, has what are known as "phytoestrogenic properties."  These are attributes of particular chemicals found in plants that have been been used for managing a myriad of menopause symptoms.

The research study consisted of 79 participants who were Iranian women ranging from 45 to 60 years old.  The study participants received 100mg of fennel-containing capsules twice a day for a period of 8 weeks. The researchers compared the results between the treated and placebo groups at various intervals throughout the study.  A substantial statistical difference in the effects on the two groups was confirmed by the researchers.  It was concluded that fennel was both safe and effective for the relief of symptoms, and also resulted in no serious negative side-effects.  Fennel had also been previously studied and reported to have been successful for the management of premenopause symptoms.

The research was conducted in Iran, where the population of women generally enter menopause at a younger age than in the US and other western nations.  The average age for entering menopause in the US is 48.2 years old, versus 51 years old in Iran.

There are also a number of other herbal remedies for treating menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats.

The Treatment of Menopause Using Biomagnetic Therapy

Biomagnetic therapy is potentially an effective treatment for menopause-related symptoms, claims researchers from the UK.

A study was performed on hundreds of women, and it was observed that utilizing biomagnetic therapy could help with symptoms ranging from anxiety and depression, to hot-flashes and cognitive-impairment issues. The vast majority of the participants in the study reported at least some improvement or relief from some of their specific symptoms. The research study revealed that a portion of the women reported improvement of nearly seventy percent of their symptoms including anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, incontinence and soreness of the breasts. Hot-flashes, night sweats, mood problems, lack of sex drive and memory issues were reported to improve by more than thirty percent.  Additionally, around twenty percent of the study participants had some amount of weight loss.  A portion of the participants lost more than twenty pounds after utilizing biomagnetic therapy on a continual basis for more than three months.

Magnetic therapy can be used as a simple alternative to more invasive treatments, such as hormone replacement therapy, which has been associated with breast cancer, heart problems, and strokes. Researchers still are not sure why the biomagnetic therapy was effective, but speculated that it might raise estrogen levels, which tends to reduce throughout menopause. The reduced levels contribute to, or cause, many menopause-related symptoms. Almost forty percent of women who are going through menopause seek out various medical treatments for their symptoms.

Previously performed research has found that magnetic therapy may help to reduce discomfort associated with menstruation, and may also help to promote the healing of wounds. It is theorized that magnets may affect the body in various ways, promoting healing by stimulating circulatory function and aiding in the reduction of pain by disrupting nerve-signals which transmit information regarding discomfort to the brain, via the central nervous system.

Fortunately, the majority of symptoms and issues associated menopause are temporary. Menopause is a totally natural phase of life, and the majority of women do not need medical treatment to deal with their symptoms. If you suffer from insomnia, try to reduce your consumption of caffeinated beverages and refrain from exercising right before bedtime. Try engaging in some relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, guided visualization, and body relaxation techniques. To help reduce hot-flashes, be sure to exercise regularly, wear layered clothing, and try to figure out your triggers. They may include such things as hot drinks, spicy foods, warm temperatures, or alcoholic beverages.